I heard that you can change your lighting and fix this problem. Is it true? Where can you get the lights? How many lights do you need? How much do they cost? FROM WIKIPEDIA.......Seasonal affective disorder:
Seasonal mood variations are believed to be related to light.
Seasonal affective disorder, also known as winter depression, is an affective, or mood, disorder. Most SAD sufferers experience normal mental health throughout most of the year, but experience depressive symptoms in the winter or summer. The condition in the summer is often referred to as Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder.
SAD can be a serious disorder and may require hospitalization.
TREATMENT
There are many different treatments for seasonal affective disorder, including light therapies, medication, and ionized-air reception. Bright light treatments are common, however as many as 19% of patients stop use because of the inconvenience.[2] Specially designed light, many times brighter than normal office lighting, is placed near the sufferer, and has proven to be effective at doses of 2500- 10,000 lux.[7] Most treatments use 30-60 minute treatments, however this varies depending on the situation. The sufferer sits a prescribed distance, commonly 30-60 cm, in front of the box with her/his eyes open but not staring at the light source.[2] Many patients use the light box in the morning, however it has not been proven any more effective than any other time of day.[7] Discovering the best schedule is essential because up to 69% of patients find it inconvenient.[2] Dawn simulation has also proven to be more effective in some studies, there is an 83% better response when compared to bright light.[2] When compared in a study to negative air ionization however, bright light was proven to be 57.1% effective vs. dawn simulation, 49.5%.[9] Patients using light therapy can experience improvement during the first week, but increased results are evident when continued throughout several weeks.[2] Most studies found it effective without use year round, but rather as a seasonal treatment lasting for several weeks until frequent light exposure is naturally obtained.[1] SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants have proven effective in treating SAD. Bupropion is also effective as a prophylactic.[3] Effective antidepressants are fluoxetine, sertraline, or paroxetine.[1][10] Both fluoxetine and light therapy are 67% effective in treating SAD according to direct head-to-head trials.[1] Negative air ionization, involving the release of charged particles into the sleep environment, has also been found effective with a 47.9% improvement.[9] Depending upon the patient, one treatment (ie. lightbox) may be used in conjunction with another therapy (ie. medication).[1]
more info..........
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasonal_af...
my house is lit up like a christmas tree. I have bare bulbs ( no shades) everywere. and the lights on 24 -7. Ok, so some of it is because I'm afraid of the dark,lol. but I can defenatly feel the differents in mood & happiness with bright lights every were. I used to live in a apartment that only had 2 lights. one for the living room & one for the bathroom. it was dark & depressing in that place. no sunshine even reached in to the house exept from one room,a very small laundry room, because of houses blocking it. I had a small back yard with no grass. just dirt because the sun couldn't reach through the fence,trees & houses. it was the strangest thing to see. just brown dirt with no grass. like a plowed field. I moved out of it because if it.
In this house I got 3 bulbs in every socket (fan light fixture). and 4 in the covered fixtures.this house came with all the lights that way exept for the upstairs which we put in 3 bulb fans there too. and sunshine that hits every window. it's so bright and cheery. I love it!
when it's been over cast for days, no sun at all. Then a bright sunny day finally breaks through, I feel energized and happy and just want to get out in the sunshine and go go go!
PS. I use those spiral energy saving bulbs.
you can buy multisocket fixtures at lowes,maybe walmart. and garage sales. I see the light fans everywere here at garage sales. just replacing your bulbs with brighter bulbs might be a fire hazard so I recommened adding or replaceing a fixture or 2 with multilight fixtures that can handle the wattage safley.
I suggest a light fixure insted of the box/lamp because of its convieniance. unlike the box, you don't need to find a place to put it when it use, a place to store it when not in use, and you can't drop it and brake it beause the light fixure is on the cieling, and the biggie...it does the same exact job as the box and if your going to pay $200 for it, it might as be multi-purpuse, it will also help to see better when cleaning as well as not being the eye sore that the box is. many varieties of style as well as price range for light fixures. don't see that happening with the box. and the light bulbs are easy to replace.
and one more thing, if you don't want it that bright, you can always losen ( unscrew) a couple of the lights. and then when you do want it bright just tighten them again. Thats what I do.
But if you would rather buy the lamp or "box"
here is some on eBay auctions site. most are MUCH cheaper than $200.
starting bid is $46.00 + $15.95 for shipping = $61.95. much cheeper than $200. And this seller has %100 positive feed back.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Verilux-Happylite-Fu...
Even cheeper..... starting at $9.99 + $9.99 for shipping. $20 is a lot cheaper than $200! but only 1 feed back. must be new seller. but positive feed back anyway.
http://cgi.ebay.com/LED-Light-Therapy-La...
there was 91 items found for SAD light lamps & boxes or "happy lights".
Here is a whole page of them. I put them in oder of lowest price first. hope it shows up that way.
http://search.ebay.com/SAD-light_W0QQcat...
note: those spiral lights I told you I use....see anything fimiler? . now go take a nap. your eyes will need some rest after reading all this. lol Yup, some people benefit greatly from this light which simulates daylight.
You can order one online from Sunbox.com. It costs about $200.
You only need one lamp. You turn it on for about 20 minutes a day, if I remember correctly, and that does the trick. Light therapy actually involves a special light box. It has UVA and UVB contained rays that help to raise the levels of vitamin D and seratonin in your brain. I think your best bet would be to ask at a medical supply store. Or possibly even your doctor. They are not just 'go to Wal-mart' kind of lights. And if I am accurate, they can be pretty expensive. If you can get a diagnosis from a doc or therapist, you may be able to have medical insurance cover the costs. It is considered alternative treatment. I hear they are actually the best for treating that condition (vs medication). Good luck. Light therapy is a standard treatment for seasonal affective disorder. Consult your doctor to make sure you're using it effectively and that you understand the potential benefits and drawbacks.
In the dark days of fall and winter, you may turn your face to the afternoon sun, seeking out what little light filters through fading gray skies. You may throw open the blinds, leave lights on throughout your home or even head south for a vacation 鈥?anything for a little more light. Or you may even be unable to crawl out of bed in the morning.
For people with a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), this need for light takes on greater significance. Treatment with light therapy may offer a chance to regain the happier mood and brighter outlook that you lose to seasonal affective disorder. Learn how light therapy works and understand its pros and cons.
The lights are called Happy Lights or Ultra Lux Lights. You can buy them online and possibly the As Seen On TV Store. They cost about $200 each. You should only need one for your household. |
